Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1158-E1159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING WILBERT GREENFIELD
______
HON. STEVE COHEN
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in praise of Dr. Wilbert
Greenfield, the 10th President of Johnson C. Smith University in
Charlotte, North Carolina as well as the 10th President of Virginia
State University in Petersburg, Virginia. Dr. Greenfield passed away
last month at the age of 86. As President of the historically black
university from 1973 to 1982, Dr. Greenfield strengthened Johnson C.
Smith by gaining the financial support of several government and
community agencies, by creating an Honors Program and by developing an
Archival Center for preserving the university's heritage. He garnered
funds to build new dormitories, which had not been done for years. The
University's Board of Trustees named Wilbert Greenfield Hall in his
honor in 1984. While at Johnson C. Smith, Dr. Greenfield became a
founding member of NAFEO, the National Association for Equal
Opportunity In Higher Education and remained a member until his death.
The City of Charlotte benefitted by having a growing Johnson C. Smith
University on its west side thanks to Dr. Greenfield's efforts.
After ten years of dedicated service at Johnson C. Smith, Dr.
Greenfield accepted the position as President of Virginia State
University, where he served from 1983 to 1988. During his presidency,
the University experienced numerous academic strides. He instituted the
expansion and renovation of the Hunter-McDaniel Science building as
well as other academic buildings. Additionally, grant funds were
secured for an agricultural research building. This vigorous initiative
led to the revitalization of the Randolph Experimental Farm, which is
located near the University's main campus. It is noted that one of Dr.
Greenfield's proudest moments was bringing aquaculture (fish farming)
to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Due to his legendary vision, VSU took
the lead in Virginia as the pioneer in aquaculture. During his VSU
tenure, Dr. Greenfield visited the White House under the Reagan and
Bush Administrations to continue strategic initiatives to enhance
higher education for minorities. In addition, Dr. Greenfield was named
Educator of the Year in 1988 by the Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity, a
worldwide organization with more than 150,000 members.
Dr. Greenfield was born on July 18, 1933 in Seven Springs, North
Carolina, and earned degrees from North Carolina Agricultural and
Technical State College in Greensboro and was the fifth African
American in this country to earn a PhD in Cardiac Physiology from the
[[Page E1159]]
University of Iowa-Iowa City. Dr. Greenfield began his academic career
in 1967 as Professor, Chairman of the Department of Biology and
Academic Dean at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi where
he taught NFL legend Walter Payton, among others. I wish to express my
condolences to Dr. Greenfield's friends, former students and family,
and especially to his son George whose technical expertise keeps my
Congressional offices running smoothly. Dr. Greenfield will long be
remembered in those places where he made such a profound impact and
legacy.
____________________
